# What do yoyoers do to calm down before heading up stage? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [March 31, 2015, 11:30pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786 "2015-03-31T23:30:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anthony](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/anthony/32/1385_2.png) [@Anthony](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Anthony)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 11:30pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/1 "2015-03-31T23:30:21Z")
I’m doing a school talent show at the end of this week and just want to see ehat others do before getting up there. It was a practice today and I almost forgot my routine. Before getting up I got the sweaty hands and felt a bit of tightness in my body and felt my heart beating. Could be adrenaline but I kept telling myself I’m fine and trying to pump myself up but didn’t stop me from messing up a ton on stage. Whether it be contest or just casual performance what do you do to keep calm or help yourself to output the best results? ---
**Author:** ![Yoyordy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8c91f0/32.png) [@Yoyordy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyordy)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 11:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/2 "2015-03-31T23:39:21Z")
I am not a professional, but I think you should act like you’re performing for someone you are comfortable around. Smile at the audience and hide your fear behind it, and once you start, completely ignore them and look at your yoyo. I think it would be easier to do this and slowly ease into actually smiling and feeling comfortable. Don’t take my word on this, take other advice especially if i’m wrong which I might be ---
**Author:** ![\_RTD\_alecto](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/_rtd_alecto/32/1336_2.png) [@\_RTD\_alecto](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/_RTD_alecto)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/3 "2015-03-31T23:57:29Z")
i know a few players who get buzzed before they compete… yeah was rather shocked at my first contest. ---
**Author:** ![abby1371](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/abby1371/32/1075_2.png) [@abby1371](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/abby1371)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/4 "2015-04-01T00:26:19Z")
Just use your nerves as energy. I tend to jump up and down a little and shake my head. It helps a little. Also just remember it’s a talent show it doesn’t have to be hard trick that impress people just the flashy ones. ---
**Author:** ![wishiwasayoyoexpert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a88e57/32.png) [@wishiwasayoyoexpert](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/wishiwasayoyoexpert)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 12:35am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/5 "2015-04-01T00:35:24Z")
> [@alecto](#): > > i know a few players who get buzzed before they compete… yeah was rather shocked at my first contest. Great role model here ;). I actually didn’t realize people drank before their performance… At nationals, there was quite a bit of indulging going on afterwards though lol. ---
**Author:** ![berto](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/berto/32/1506_2.png) [@berto](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/berto)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/6 "2015-04-01T00:37:56Z")
I have never performed with a yoyo, but I play out with my band 10-12 times per year and it gets easier each time. I am also not shy, so that helps… Practice until you are comfortable with the routine, smile and have fun. The rest will fall into place. ---
**Author:** ![Palli](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/palli/32/105_2.png) [@Palli](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Palli)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/7 "2015-04-01T01:02:22Z")
My tips: Practice a lot some days before until your routine feels natural and gets locked into muscle memory. Don’t practice too much on the day of the routine, just run over it a few times to make sure you know what you are doing. I usually just do 2-3 runs early in the morning and then 2-3 runs an hour or two before performing, If you practice all out the same day you will exhaust your mental stamina and your brain will not function 100% when you perform on stage. Find some breathing exercises online that work for you to relax your body. Past contests and in Iceland’s got Talent I’ve done this one and it’s done wonders for stress and overall relaxation. > [@](#): > > The 4-7-8 (or Relaxing Breath) Exercise > This exercise is utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Although you can do the exercise in any position, sit with your back straight while learning the exercise. Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth, and keep it there through the entire exercise. You will be exhaling through your mouth around your tongue; try pursing your lips slightly if this seems awkward. > > Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound. > Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four. > Hold your breath for a count of seven. > Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight. > This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths. > Note that you always inhale quietly through your nose and exhale audibly through your mouth. The tip of your tongue stays in position the whole time. Exhalation takes twice as long as inhalation. The absolute time you spend on each phase is not important; the ratio of 4:7:8 is important. If you have trouble holding your breath, speed the exercise up but keep to the ratio of 4:7:8 for the three phases. With practice you can slow it all down and get used to inhaling and exhaling more and more deeply. > > This exercise is a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system. Unlike tranquilizing drugs, which are often effective when you first take them but then lose their power over time, this exercise is subtle when you first try it but gains in power with repetition and practice. Do it at least twice a day. You cannot do it too frequently. Do not do more than four breaths at one time for the first month of practice. Later, if you wish, you can extend it to eight breaths. If you feel a little lightheaded when you first breathe this way, do not be concerned; it will pass. > > Once you develop this technique by practicing it every day, it will be a very useful tool that you will always have with you. Use it whenever anything upsetting happens - before you react. Use it whenever you are aware of internal tension. Use it to help you fall asleep. This exercise cannot be recommended too highly. Everyone can benefit from it. Remember that you are yoyoing for a non-yoyo audience, even if you mess up they probably won’t notice so keep your head calm and don’t worry if you mess up and make it seem intentional. Be confident in yourself, if you think you are Awesome and behave that way other people will also think you are Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![gijoey959](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gijoey959/32/7958_2.png) [@gijoey959](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/gijoey959)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/8 "2015-04-01T01:23:13Z")
I have been performing with instruments since 6th grade (I’m 23) and I’ve competed on a national scale in paintball. However, I have social anxiety so bad that I can barely make phone calls, so even though I’m fairly used to the routine, the nerves still kick my butt. The way I get through it is 1. once you’ve acknowledged the audience, ignore them completely until you are comfortable, which you don’t even have to be, you could ignore everyone in the room until you are absolutely done. They don’t really notice. 2. breathe!!! BREATHE SLOW AND KEEP BREATHING 3. don’t lock your knees 4. The audience either doesn’t play or isn’t being as critical as you are, they’ll probably think the small stuff was part of it. 5. stuff happens. Just have fun ---
**Author:** ![Gambit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gambit/32/1358_2.png) [@Gambit](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Gambit)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 8:35am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/9 "2015-04-01T08:35:15Z")
Regarding the sweaty hands issue, at Nationals they had a can of dry-shampoo by the stage that a bunch of people were spraying their hands with beforehand. I didn’t try it myself, but I guess it seems like it could work. ---
**Author:** ![Yoyo\_Master1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyo_master1/32/1175_2.png) [@Yoyo\_Master1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyo_Master1)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 12:26pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/10 "2015-04-01T12:26:54Z")
The best thing you can/should do is have confidence in yourself. You don’t need to tell yourself that you’re going to get it perfect on stage but try to tell yourself that you’re capable of getting it perfect or doing well. Also try telling yourself that it’s in your control. That it’s not that you’re not ready or anything, it’s just that you need to do what you’re capable of. Which is nail that routine on stage. ---
**Author:** ![Zorro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zorro/32/206266_2.png) [@Zorro](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Zorro)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/11 "2015-04-01T19:38:51Z")
At my first contest I had wanted to put on a show but because I was so scared to be the center of attention, I just stood there, did my thing and left. Now, when I compete, I go up on stage, maybe wave, take deep breaths, and there is no way around the adrenaline, it’s just there. What helps is if you remember that you are doing this for fun and that yoyoing is a toy. Even if you mess up a little, everyone does. What also may help is if you never look directly out at the people and just concentrate on what you’re doing. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![DKiminator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DKiminator](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DKiminator)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/12 "2015-04-02T02:34:26Z")
The world champ told me to do 2 things at cal states before I went up. He said to breathe and go slow. Breathing helped a lot with nerves on stage, and I tried to go slow. After I watched my routine after, I realized that I went a bit fast even though I tried to go slow. So breathe, and go sloooow. Like, really slow ---
**Author:** ![Raptor\_T](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/raptor_t/32/111715_2.png) [@Raptor\_T](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Raptor_T)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:10am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/13 "2015-04-02T04:10:47Z")
When I compete, I wash my hands 2-3 times before my performance. Then when I have the jitters, I just do my routine in front of the judges on stage. I know that they only judge my tricks and not myself. Btw, I was in a talent show a little bit ago. I is put up a show, they enjoyed it. Little did they know the two switchouts I had were… unintentional! They had no idea, don’t worry about it. ---
**Author:** ![JaredOverstreet](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jaredoverstreet/32/827_2.png) [@JaredOverstreet](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JaredOverstreet)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:27am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/14 "2015-04-02T04:27:51Z")
[quote=“Raptor\_T,post:13,topic:73786”] To clarify here; They judge your entire performance, which includes how you move on stage, and how you move the audience, not just how you move the yo-yo. Most contest websites will list the judging system, which will give percentages of the criteria that will be judged such as, but not limited to: Stage Presence, choreography, technicality, originality. As for sweaty hands, use hand sanitizer. The gel stuff. The alcohol dries out your hands. :wink: ---
**Author:** ![rizki\_yoist](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rizki_yoist/32/7925_2.png) [@rizki\_yoist](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/rizki_yoist)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 1:20pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/15 "2015-04-02T13:20:21Z")
On stage, YOU are better than the audience whoever they are, it’s your performance, don’t lose to the audience. ---
**Author:** ![Anthony](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/anthony/32/1385_2.png) [@Anthony](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Anthony)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/16 "2015-04-02T17:22:09Z")
Thanks for the help everyone! Really means a lot to me. I’ll be up today at around 6:30 and I’ll use all the advice. ---
**Author:** ![Anthony](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/anthony/32/1385_2.png) [@Anthony](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Anthony)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/17 "2015-04-03T02:38:27Z")
Just finished my performance 10 minutes ago! Man I feel great was better than I expected and thank you again everyone for the advice. I’ll put a video of up on YouTube pretty soon. Check out my channel “Anthony Villalobos” You’ll find one that has a video of instagram trick circles. Well if you’re curious then search that. ---
**Author:** ![DKiminator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DKiminator](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DKiminator)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 3:14am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/18 "2015-04-03T03:14:38Z")
> [@Anthony](#): > > Just finished my performance 10 minutes ago! Man I feel great was better than I expected and thank you again everyone for the advice. I’ll put a video of up on YouTube pretty soon. Check out my channel “Anthony Villalobos” You’ll find one that has a video of instagram trick circles. Well if you’re curious then search that. Ohhh that’s you?! Haha great job. I’m @yoyosonly by the way. ---
**Author:** ![Yoyordy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8c91f0/32.png) [@Yoyordy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyordy)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 3:18am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/19 "2015-04-03T03:18:08Z")
> [@DKiminator](#): > > Ohhh that’s you?! Haha great job. I’m @yoyosonly by the way. Ohh I follow both of you! ---
**Author:** ![Yoyordy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8c91f0/32.png) [@Yoyordy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyordy)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 3:19am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786/20 "2015-04-03T03:19:30Z")
> [@Anthony](#): > > Just finished my performance 10 minutes ago! Man I feel great was better than I expected and thank you again everyone for the advice. I’ll put a video of up on YouTube pretty soon. Check out my channel “Anthony Villalobos” You’ll find one that has a video of instagram trick circles. Well if you’re curious then search that. Link? [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-do-yoyoers-do-to-calm-down-before-heading-up-stage/73786.md?page=2)